[Rarebooks] fa: 1754 PERSIA & RUSSIA - HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF BRITISH TRADE OVER THE CASPIAN SEA

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, April 28. More details and images can be found at the URL below or by searching under the seller name arch_in_la.

http://tinyurl.com/ceh92z7

Thanks,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.


Jonas Hanway: An Historical Account of the British Trade over the Caspian Sea: With the Author’s Journal of Travels from England through Russia into Persia; and back through Russia, Germany and Holland. To which are added, the revolutions of Persia during the present century, with the particular history of the great usurper Nadir Kouli. Illustrated with Maps and Copper-Plates. The Second Edition, revised and corrected. London: Printed for T. Osborne, D. Brown, T. and T. Longman [etc.], MDCCLIV [1754]. Two volumes, 4to (26.5 cm), in full period speckled calf with gilt-stamped spines and morocco spine labels; xxiv, 458, xxv-xxviii, 459-460, [8] pp.; xx, 460, [20] pp. (vol. I with part of the table of contents misbound at the end of the text, but all present); with the publisher's leaf of adverts; 41 engraved plates, maps, and vignettes. ESTC T94136.

COMPLETE with 2 engraved frontispieces, 9 folding maps, 17 plates, and 13 engraved vignettes. Bindings rubbed, front joints cracked but boards are secure; light toning to the leaves; one map slightly shaved, 4 others with small tears, or with creases from mis-folding and marginal soiling/toning; otherwise clean and sound, firmly bound. A handsome set. With the armorial bookplates of Robert D'Arcy, Earl of Holdernesse (1718-1778), diplomat and politician, ambassador to Venice, and Secretary of State from 1751-1761. Horace Walpole described him as "a solemn phantom."

While a merchant based in St. Petersburg, Jonas Hanway (1712-1786) undertook a journey through Russia and Astrakhan and across the Caspian Sea to Astrabad in Persia, along the way witnessing civil war and falling prey to the bandit followers of a rebel warlord. Returning to England in 1750, he wrote and published this account of his journey and became a man of note, as well as a noted eccentric, said to be the first Londoner to carry an umbrella. He was later known for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of little chimney-sweeps, as well as his campaigns against tea-drinking, tipping, and hackney coachmen. His other travel book, Journal of an Eight Days' Journey (1756), was less successful, and Samuel Johnson observed "that he acquired a reputation travelling abroad, but lost it all by travelling at home."